The leaders of the United States and Japan confirmed that the three countries would closely cooperate to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.
US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who are visiting Japan, shared the perception that North Korea's nuclear and missile development problem is serious at a meeting held today (23rd) at a guesthouse in Tokyo, and the US, Japan, and South Korea and the US are working closely together to respond. Prime Minister Kishida said at a joint press conference held after the meeting that he confirmed the policy.
He added that the United States and Japan agreed to cooperate closely on issues related to China, such as attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas and human rights issues.
The White House also said in an explanatory material released after the meeting that the two leaders promised to work closely together to respond to security challenges, such as North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and the increase in China's coercive actions against international law.
The two leaders shared concerns about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and agreed to work together with the international community to respond.
Regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Kishida introduced the contents of the discussion, saying, "We have reaffirmed that "any attempt to change the status quo by force is unacceptable under any circumstances and we will continue to respond resolutely together with the G7 and the international community." .
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Prime Minister Kishida expressed his will to significantly strengthen Japan's defense capabilities and to significantly increase defense spending to support this, and he also said that President Biden strongly supported this.
Prime Minister Kishida explained to President Biden at the meeting that he would not rule out all sorts of options, including a "counterattack capability," to strengthen defense capabilities.
Counterattack capability is a concept similar to or superior to the previously discussed 'enemy base attack capability' that the ruling LDP recently proposed to the Japanese government.
The White House also confirmed President Biden's positive response in the announcement.
The two leaders shared the view that reforms of the United Nations, including the Security Council, were necessary, and President Biden expressed his intention to support Japan's entry into a permanent member of the Security Council.
"President Biden has expressed his support for Japan to become a permanent member of the reformed Security Council," said Prime Minister Kishida.
President Biden announced that 13 countries will participate in IPEF, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which will be launched this afternoon.
President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida agreed to further work together on new challenges such as supply chain strengthening, clean energy and new technologies.
Prime Minister Kishida has announced that the meeting will be held in Hiroshima, the atomic bombing site, while Japan is expected to preside over the seven major summits next year.
Prime Minister Kishida explained that "there is no place more suited to show the promise of peace than Hiroshima," and President Biden said he welcomed the choice.